Complete Specs of Noktor 23 f/1.7 & Magnification Ratio

Taken with Fuji X-E1 at f1.7, 1/34", ISO200, Pro Neg Std mode, -1 highlight, -2 shadow.

Since I mentioned in my review of Noktor 23mm f1.7 how I like that the lens can get so close to the object, I'm curious to know its magnifiation ratio. Surprisingly, there is so little technical information on the internet about the SLR Magic Noktor 23mm f1.7 lens. Even the manufacturer's own website doesn't have any specifications. Adorama has the specs table but it's far from being complete. So based on my experience with the lens, I'd like to add more details to the specs sheet and share with you below.

SLR Magic 23mm F/1.7 Complete Specifications

Availability	Fuji X-Mount, Sony NEX
Focus	Manual
Focal length	23mm (34.5mm equivalent)
Maximum aperture	f/1.7
Minimum aperture	f/22
Aperture ring Diaphragm blades	click-less 12 (rounded)
Minimum focus distance	f/22
Maximum Magnification	0.25x  (1:4)
Lens Hood	No (the manual states the lens is designed without hood)
Filter Size	49mm
Dimensions	Length: 61.3mm / 2.41", extends up to 6mm (0.24")
Weight	265g / 9.34oz

I calculated the magnification by taking a picture of a ruler and divided the 96mm length by the "X-Trans" CMOS sensor size which is 23.6mm x 15.6mm. Therefore, the magnification of the Noktor is 0.25x or 1:4 ratio.

Measured 9.6cm. Notice how soft the corners of the image are.
Taken at f1.7 and at the 15cm minimum focus distance.

Review SLR Magic Noktor 23mm f1.7 on Fuji X-E1, My Thoughts

On Sunday, I went out to try the new SLR Magic Noktor 23mm f1.7 and my Fuji X-E1 in real situations. Getting used to and spoiled by the excellent Fujinon lenses, I didn't expect it would outperform the Fuji. Instead, I found that the Noktor 23mm f1.7 is an entirely different breed, not only because of its manual operations but also the way it renders the image. Also when paring with Fuji X-E1, I discovered some quirks that could be annoying and frustrating at times.

SLR Magic Noktor 23mm f1.7, shot at f1.7 with Fuji X-E1. Provia and default settings.

Comparing to the Fujinon lenses, the image from SLR Magic Noktor 23mm f1.7 is noticeably lower in contrast. It has the soft look that I think portrait shooters will find it appealing. The details in the center of the frame at f1.7 is good enough, although not as good as the Fujinon 35mm at f1.4. It's more obvious in real situations since it's much harder to focus manually at f1.7 and get pin sharp than using the AF of 35mm f1.4, coupled with the camera's default shutter speed at 1/30s which is prone to shake and movement, although it's the problems with operation not the lens itself.

At f1.7, 1/60s, ISO3200, Provia, default settings.

Shooting at f1.7 with Noktor is quite a challenge. I often found that 'focus & recompose' method with off-centered subjects at f1.7-f2.8 is pretty hits and misses, to the point that I wonder if the lens suffers from field curvature, or it's just not sharp wide open outside the center area. I'm not keen on testing the lens with scientific charts so I just give this observation in case anyone would like to investigate further. I later learned a working solution with Fuji X-E1 that is to move the focus point to where you want, magnify to fine tune, and then shoot. It's a shame that once you click to magnify, it's not possible to move the magnified area to other points with directional buttons on the camera like the ones on Sony NEX and Alpha cameras. You need to exit the magnified view in order to select another focus point and magnify. This is sluggish.

First image from Noktor 23mm f1.7 vs Fujinon 35mm f1.4

I just received an SLR Magic Noktor 23mm f1.7 for Fuji XF mount yesterday and was busy chatting with folks on a Fuji Facebook fan page about this lens so I only took a few pics inside my home to see how it does. This is a very unscientific comparison between the Noktor 23mm f1.7 and Fujinon 35mm f1.4, both shot wide open, just to see how the 2 lenses render the same scene any differently. I tried to maintain the size of the flower bucket. I think you can easily tell which lens took which pic. The wider lens captures more background and exaggerates perspective.

SLR Magic Noktor 23mm f1.7 (35mm equivalent)

Fujinon 35mm f1.4 R (53 mm equivalent)

SLR Magic Noktor 23mm f1.7 for Fuji X

SLR Magic Noktor 23mm f1.7 on X-E1 with rear cap

I just received an SLR Magic Noktor Hyperprime 23mm f1.7 for Fuji X mount today from UPS. I ordered directly from SLR Magic website. They took around 4 working days to ship from Hong Kong and I received in 2 days in Thailand. The label on the package is wrong and I thought I received a wrong mount but the lens inside is correct. I think the lens was so freshly released that SLR Magic doesn't have the new box yet. They also include a lens pen as a free gift, although I didn't see they mention this on the website. Free gift is welcome anyway!

The package content

The metal body feels good, and thick in hand. It gives the impression of the MF lenses from 20-30 years ago. It even feels better made than the already excellent Fujinon whose metal barrel feels more fragile and less solid in comparison. Nothing wrong with Fuji quality but Noktor barrel is a class above. Front and rear caps are all metal and much heavier than Fuji plastic caps. The front cap is thread type, so it might be better to find a replacement, center-squeeze snap on cap.